Author's note: relieved sigh 2 finals down, one to go. Of course this last one would be the one I'm most worried about, but it's not till Friday, so I decided to take a few minutes (ok, more like a few hours) and update (you'd better be happy Jamie!). I might very well find myself updating tomorrow as well, as tomorrow I have to do the grade 8 tours for my school, and I think I'm going to want to just find something to do other then study after that. So watch for it!
Lol, ok, I apologize for turning this into somewhat of a musical, but once again, there's a song (this one was last
minute, I thought of the song and found it perfect as I was in the middle of typing this ch out). This time it's "You'll Be In My Heart" by Phil Collins (it's in the Disney movie "Tarzan")
Edit (added May 2, 05): As per chapter 12, the song lyrics in this chapter have also been removed.
Don't forget to review!

Ashlinn/Me: Lol, thanks for the compliment, and I'm working on updating the others (if Jamie would let me! JAMIE! Lol), and yes, I do know I'm not alone, lol.
-An Anti-Sheep Cheese Muffin :"yo ho yo OUTCH!" lol, sry, watching POTC as I write this.That's good that you feel better, and yes, he was quite evil in this ch (psst..not to let anything slip or anything, but he3 gets like that at least once more). And yes, he does feel regret..but I see nothing
about chocolate.lol, you do get crazy sometimes, have I ever told you that (but it makes for interesting reviews, so don't stop). And this ch can be for your "best friend's b-day" if you'd like, lol.
-yesterdayscild: Well, I've updated, and thanks for the compliment. If you're looking for more fics, have a look at my profile, I've got 4 total (including this one), although the others have been neglected lately.
-Headmaster Cromwell: Might I ask you to pick somewhere else to advertise next time. Thanks in advance.

Chapter 14: Promises

As soon as Severus left, Eric closed the door and went to Selina's side.
"You going to be ok?" He asked.
Selina nodded, her tears beginning to subside. Eric took her in his arms and hugged her tightly.
"Shh, it's all over. You're safe now." He said.
Selina rested her head on Eric's shoulder, the tears still falling slowly.

Eric suddenly thought of another song he knew and loved, and began to sing; "You'll Be In My Heart" by Phil Collins.

By the end of the song, Selina had closed her tired eyes and fallen asleep.
Eric wrapped his arm around her shoulders to keep her from falling and just let her sleep, hoping that she'd feel better when she woke up.

About an hour later, Salvius entered the room. Eric looked up at him and put a finger to his lips, then pointed to Selina.
Salvius nodded in understanding.
"Your father wants to see you. I can tell him you'll come later if you'd rather not disturb her." He whispered.
Eric shook his head.
"No, that's alright. It's probably better if I go now. I'll take care of her, then I'll go." He replied.
Salvius nodded and left the room again.

Eric slowly and gently moved Selina so he could lift her, then carried her over to the bed and gently placed her down. He noticed she was slightly cold, and covered her with the blankets. Selina stirred a little as he did so, but only rolled on to her side. Eric leaned over and kissed her gently on
the cheek, noticing that it was beginning to bruise again.
He then left and went to his father's office.

When he arrived, he knocked on the door, then entered.
"You wanted to see me, father?" He asked.
"Yes, I did. Have a seat." Voldemort replied, motioning to a chair.

Eric sat and all was silent for a few moments.
"How much do you love her?" Voldemort finally asked.
"Greatly. I'd do anything for her." Eric replied.
"Would you marry her?" Voldemort asked.
"Of course, if she'd have me." Eric replied.
"Hmm. Alright then. As I am so displeased with her at the moment, I have decided that you will propose to her tonight.
"If she accepts, she will be yours, and you will be married by the end of the summer. If she does not, then you will bring her to me and her life will be ended." Voldemort said.
"May I ask why you're doing this?" Eric asked.
"Because she is proving to be unloyal to you. If she agrees to the marriage, she will be forced to become loyal to you again, which is what I want." Voldemort replied.

Eric sat in silence.
"So, will you do it?" Voldemort asked.
"Yes father." Eric replied uncertainly.
"Promise?" Voldemort asked again.
"Because if not you may as well bring her to me now."
"Yes, I'll do it." Eric replied.
"Very good." Voldemort said, pulling a ring box out of his desk drawer.
"You can giver her this, it was your mother's. Severus has his late wife's wedding ring saved for Selina as well if she accepts."
"Thank you." Eric replied, taking the box and leaving the room.

Eric went back to Selina and found that she was still fast asleep.
Her cheek looked quite a bit worse then it had last time now- not only was it bruised, but it was swollen as well. He pulled out the cream-like potion and a cloth again, and went to work at it, deciding to fix it up before she awoke to save her the extra pain.
However, Selina could feel the sting of the potion in her sleep and woke up just as he finished.

"Was it as bad as last time?" She asked.
"Worse." Eric admitted.
"But it's back to normal now."
"Thanks." Selina said with a smile while moving into a sitting position.
"Anytime." Eric replied, putting the rest of the potion and the cloth away again.

The room went silent as they both simply sat there.
"Selina, can I ask you something?" Eric asked, finally finding the courage to speak.
"Of course." Selina replied.
"Will you marry me?" Eric asked, deciding to be straight to the point about it.

Selina was taken by surprise.
"What?" Was all she managed to say.
Eric pulled out the ring and showed it to her.
"Please say you will." He said, his voice full of hopefulness.
"I...I will." Selina replied, still quite shocked.

Eric Smiled happily and slipped the ring on her finger.
"That's wonderful." He said.
"I ask for only one thing though." Selina said, finally properly finding her voice.
"Anything." Eric replied.
"That we don't' get married until after my final year at Hogwarts." Selina said.
"Done!" Eric replied happily, fairly certain that he could persuade his father to postpone the wedding to fit her wishes.
"Alright then." Selina said with a smile.

Eric leaned over and hugged her, happy that he would not have to loose her later that day.

Another author's note: Ok, well, not all of that song was needed, but I left it all there anyway.
Also, for clarification purposes, the "promises" in the chapter title refer to the promise of Eric that he would propose to
Selina, and Selina's promise to marry him.
Don't forget to review! (I know I already said that, just reminding you again, lol)